Page 70 of Ryder’s Storm

“Touché.”

The door opened. “Hey, babe, I’ve got you—”

Ryder turned quickly to insert himself between Eddie and Scarlet. Eddie carried two bottles of blood.

“—tomato juice,” Ryder interrupted quickly shooting Eddie a look to indicate he should go along.

“Yeah,” Eddie said quickly. “For the Bloody Marys after work.” He squeezed past Ryder and Scarlet, holding the bottles so Scarlet couldn’t see the labels. “Better put those in the fridge.” While he opened a small refrigerator and placed the bottles inside, he asked, “So who’s your friend?”

“This is Scarlet King. Scarlet this is Eddie.”

“Nice to meet you, Eddie,” she said with a smile.

“Likewise. So what are you guys doing here?”

“Apparently they need our help with something urgent,” Thomas said, while Eddie took sat down.

“Long story short,” Ryder said, “we need help checking somebody’s background.”

Thomas and Eddie exchanged a look. Though neither was saying anything, Ryder knew they were communicating with each other through the special psychic bond all blood-bonded couples had.

“You’ve gotta make that short story a little longer,” Thomas said.

Scarlet cleared her throat. “Well, it’s about my stepmother and her nephew, with whom she’s cheating on my dad.”

Eddie rolled his office chair closer. “We definitely need to hear the full story.”

Thomas nodded. “Most definitely.”

In as few words as possible, Scarlet recounted what had passed between her and Derek, and Ryder filled the two IT geniuses in on what he’d seen happening between Claudia and Derek when he’d returned to the King residence to pick up Scarlet’s computer.

“So we need something to prove to my dad that Claudia is cheating on him, and it would help if we could somehow prove that Derek isn’t even her nephew,” Scarlet said, casting a pleading look at Thomas and Eddie.

“Well,” Thomas said slowly. “Something’s definitely fishy.”

“Worth a little digging,” Eddie agreed.

“Do we have a last name for this Derek?” Thomas asked.

Ryder furrowed his forehead. “He only introduced himself as Derek to me.”

“Claudia never mentioned his last name either,” Scarlet said, but added, “but I got a glimpse of the name on his credit card when he paid at the restaurant.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “Let me think. It started with an H. Something short. Reminded me of that hotel owner in New York, you know that one who was terrible to her employees. She died several years ago, and I saw a documentary.”

“Leona Helmsley?” Eddie asked.

“Yes! That’s it. Derek Helmsley. That’s what it said on his credit card.”

“Well, that’s a start,” Thomas agreed. “If there’s something to find, we’ll find it.”

“Thank you,” Scarlet said. “I don’t know how else my father will believe what Ryder saw.”

“Hmm,” Eddie said, “have you thought of installing hidden cameras to record them?”

“And then give Dad the tapes?” Scarlet asked and shook her head. “He’ll be furious with me for spying, no matter what’s on the tapes.”

“Not if you send them anonymously,” Eddie added, “or you can make it look like somebody’s blackmailing Claudia, and you can arrange it so your father sees the evidence by accident.”

Ryder looked from Eddie to Scarlet. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Particularly since we have no idea whether there’s anything in Derek’s past that’ll help us convince your dad that Derek attacked you and is sleeping with Claudia.”